Olori Ashley Ogunwusi, Dr. Shola Cole, Others to Receive Leadership Excellence Awards at Historic African Women's Summit in Kenya

Olori Ashley Ogunwusi, Dr. Shola Cole, Others to Receive Leadership Excellence Awards at Historic African Women's Summit in Kenya

Her Majesty, Olori Ashley Ogunwusi 

Olori Ashley Folashade Ogunwusi, Queen of the Ooni of Ife and founder of the Ashley Adegoke Foundation, is among a select group of distinguished African women set to be honoured at the maiden edition of the Voice of Africa Leadership Summit (VOALS), scheduled for Nairobi, Kenya, this August.

The royal philanthropist, who has earned recognition for her humanitarian work through the Ashley Adegoke Foundation — an NGO dedicated to supporting underprivileged children and widows — will receive an award of excellence in leadership alongside other trailblazing women who have made their mark across various fields.

Also to be honoured is Tech Queen Dr. Adeshola Cole, CEO and founder of the UK-based Tritek Consulting Limited, an award-winning EdTech organisation that has helped over 5,000 individuals transition into technology careers, and Mrs. Foluke Adedokun a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, certified fruit stylist, and the Chief Executive Officer of FruitieWorld, a leading healthy lifestyle brand in Nigeria. Popularly recognized within the entertainment and corporate event space as "The Fruitie Queen," she is celebrated for pioneering high-end fruit artistry and catering to elite clients across West Africa, among others.

The awards will be presented at the leadership conference holding on August 27 under the theme "Leadership Renaissance" at Emara Ole Sereni, Nairobi — the centrepiece of a week-long summit running from August 24 to 29, 2026.

VOALS is inspired and convened by Dr. Yetty Folami, a US-based pharmacist, pastor, leadership coach, and healthcare executive, who describes it as a God-inspired project dedicated to fostering authentic influence, confidence, and transformative leadership among women across the African continent.

Organisers say the summit is designed to deliver clarity, articulation, and activation for participants, helping them identify personal and professional needs while equipping them to overcome persistent barriers in leadership. Key focus areas include tackling gender bias, underrecognition despite proven competence, navigating workplace politics, and strategies for personal and professional growth.

The event targets between 200 and 250 participants — women in senior and mid-level leadership positions, entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals across healthcare, finance, education, technology, governance, NGOs, and faith-based organisations.

Confirmed speakers include Bola Matel-Okoh, executive coach and founder of Women's Lifestyle Hub; Dr. Wale Akinyemi, organisational culture and leadership consultant; and Lillian Ngala, leadership coach and founder of the Lillian Ngala Network. Others are Titi Ikhile, Nellie Kinyanjui, and Oladoyin Taiwo. The event will be anchored by Dr. Tiffany Oloke.

The summit's programme is packed across several days. Tuesday, August 25 features a specialised leadership training session at the University of Nairobi themed "Leadership Beyond the Counter", targeting pharmacy and medical students, alongside a mental wellness session. Wednesday, August 26 hosts a welcome dinner and networking event in partnership with "The Women in Business" network in Kenya, focusing on emerging business opportunities.

Friday, August 28 is dedicated to a community outreach programme supporting underserved women who have experienced abuse, while Saturday, August 29 offers participants a sightseeing tour of Nairobi's key locations.

A series of preparatory webinars began in March 2026, with another session coming up this May ahead of the August gathering.

VOALS positions itself as more than a one-time event, it is a movement to ensure African women's leadership is strengthened and their voices help rewrite the continent's story, with plans to rotate across different African regions in future years.

Women leaders interested in attending, or needing assistance with visas and travel arrangements, may contact organisers at info@voals.org or visit voals.org/voals2026.

Ikeja Electric Takes Electricity Safety Campaign to Lagos Schools

Ikeja Electric Takes Electricity Safety Campaign to Lagos Schools

Ikeja Electric Plc has carried its electricity safety message into classrooms in the Bariga area of Lagos, using this year's Children's Day to launch an educational outreach targeting pupils in public primary schools within its franchise network.

POWER FAILURE: NIGERIA CANCELS $717.7M WORLD BANK ELECTRICITY LOAN AS REFORMS COLLAPSE

POWER FAILURE: NIGERIA CANCELS $717.7M WORLD BANK ELECTRICITY LOAN AS REFORMS COLLAPSE

In a development that lays bare the deepening crisis in Nigeria's electricity sector, the Federal Government has cancelled $717.7 million in undisbursed World Bank funding meant to rescue the country's struggling power industry even as it simultaneously seeks a fresh $1.25 billion loan from the same institution.

MISSED WINDOW: KENYA AIRWAYS PROMO ENDS, VOALS DELEGATES HOPE FOR FRESH DEAL AHEAD OF SUMMIT

A flash promotional offer by Kenya Airways that offered Nigerian travellers significant discounts on flights to Nairobi came to a close on Tuesday, leaving many who had been planning trips to Kenya particularly those eyeing the landmark Voice of Africa Leadership Summit (VOALS) in August hoping for a another opportunity.

The airline's special deal which reduced the Lagos - Nairobi route by more than half the price lasted for just one day, May 25, 2026. The promo was run in partnership with MASTERCARD.

President Tinubu Pushes for Airbus Maintenance Hub in Nigeria, Demands Swift Delivery of Apache Attack Helicopters

President Tinubu Pushes for Airbus Maintenance Hub in Nigeria, Demands Swift Delivery of Apache Attack Helicopters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed a major proposal by global aviation giant Airbus to establish aircraft maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria, as part of a broader strategy to transform the country into a leading aerospace and aviation services hub in Africa.

Kenya Set to Welcome Historic Gathering of African Women in Leadership

Kenya Set to Welcome Historic Gathering of African Women in Leadership

Dr. Yetty Folami, convener, VOALS

A new initiative aimed at amplifying the voices and leadership potential of African women is set to make its debut this year with the maiden edition of the Voice of Africa Leadership Summit (VOALS) in Nairobi, Kenya, this August.

Inspired and convened by Dr. Yetty Folami, a US-based pharmacist, pastor, leadership coach, and healthcare executive, VOALS is described as a God-inspired project dedicated to fostering authentic influence, confidence, and transformative leadership among women across the African continent.

The week-long event is scheduled from August 24 to 29, 2026, with the centrepiece, a full-day leadership conference holding on August 27 under the theme "Leadership Renaissance" at Emara Ole Sereni, Nairobi.

Over 30 African Leaders Gather in Nairobi for Landmark Africa Forward Summit

Over 30 African Leaders Gather in Nairobi for Landmark Africa Forward Summit

Nairobi, Kenya — May 12, 2026 

More than 30 African heads of state and government have converged on the Kenyan capital for the inaugural Africa Forward Summit, a high-level diplomatic and economic forum co-hosted by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

FG Prohibits Use of ‘Dr’ Title by Honorary Degree Holders

The Federal Government has banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the prefix “Dr” before their names, describing the practice as misleading and a form of academic fraud.

The new directive, which takes immediate effect, aims to restore credibility to academic titles and prevent the continued abuse of honorary degrees across the country.

Mosan-Okunola LCDA to Launch Readers’ Clubs to Boost Literacy Standards

Mosan-Okunola LCDA to Launch Readers’ Clubs to Boost Literacy Standards

ALIMOSHO – In a strategic move to revamp the educational landscape of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the council has announced plans to introduce structured Readers’ Clubs across all public primary and junior secondary schools.

The initiative was unveiled by the Vice Chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Akintola Falade, during a high-level familiarization meeting with the council’s Education Department. The meeting followed his formal presentation as the Supervisor for Education by the Council Chairman, Hon. Akindele Adunni Opeyemi.

The Council Chairman, Hon. Akindele, expressed absolute confidence in Falade’s appointment, describing him as a leader with the experience and exposure necessary to meet her administration’s rigorous standards. She stated that education is a priority for her office and charged the education team to innovate, carry out feasibility studies, and make public schools in Mosan-Okunola LCDA the envy of others.

Speaking on the motivation behind the Readers’ Club, Hon. Falade noted that while the council invests heavily in education—including the distribution of GCE forms—the academic returns have not always matched the investment. He specifically pointed to the long-standing Spelling Bee competition as a catalyst for this new direction, noting that the basis of that competition is reading skills. He emphasized the need to deliberately encourage reading at the foundational level to achieve the success rates desired in the community.

The council aims to have a visible presence in all public schools by the end of the second quarter. The initiative is scheduled to kick off by the end of May, with each club operating as a formally registered entity within the schools. Headteachers and English language teachers will be central to the operations, leading weekly interactive sessions to guide students on effective reading habits and literacy.

While the initial focus remains on the public sector, Hon. Falade hinted that the council is exploring ways to include private schools in the future. He concluded by underscoring the administration's commitment to improving the reading culture across the entire LCDA to ensure every child has the tools to succeed academically.

ARAPAJA THROWS HAT INTO GOVERNORSHIP RING: THE KONGEIRE MOVEMENT BEGINS

ARAPAJA THROWS HAT INTO GOVERNORSHIP RING: THE KONGEIRE MOVEMENT BEGINS 

By Popoola Adekunle

The political landscape of Oyo State shifted gears this week as Ambassador Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja officially declared his intention to contest the state’s governorship. The announcement, which has been met with significant fanfare, signals the entry of one of the state’s most seasoned political figures into the race for the Agodi Government House.

Ambassador Arapaja is far from a newcomer to the corridors of power. His political pedigree is extensive, anchored by his tenure as the Deputy Governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011. Beyond his executive experience, he has served as a member of the House of Representatives, a local government chairman, and a diplomatic envoy representing Nigeria in Jordan and Iraq. Currently the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Arapaja’s candidacy is being framed by supporters as a bridge between veteran governance and modern political strategy.

Under the rallying cry of #KongeIre—a term symbolizing progress and collective prosperity—the campaign is positioning itself as a people-centered movement. Early reports from the Arapaja camp indicate a strategy heavily reliant on grassroots mobilization. From ward-level town halls in the heart of Ibadan to outreach programs across the state’s various zones, the campaign aims to prioritize direct dialogue with artisans, professionals, and traditional stakeholders.

A senior campaign aide noted that the slogan is far more than a political tagline, describing it instead as a vision statement that reflects a desire to usher in an era of development that actually reaches the man on the street. At the heart of this drive is an emphasis on experience-driven leadership, with supporters highlighting Arapaja’s years of administrative exposure as evidence of his ability to navigate complex governance challenges.

Arapaja’s team is also leaning heavily on his reputation as a unifier within the PDP. His role in stabilizing the party in the South-West is being touted as a key asset that could ensure party cohesion heading into a potentially volatile election cycle. Furthermore, the campaign is making a distinct play for the youth demographic by blending traditional radio and physical rallies with a robust social media presence. The movement seeks to engage young voters through discussions on innovation and digital empowerment, framing the youth as active stakeholders in the state's future.

As the political atmosphere in Oyo State intensifies, analysts suggest that Arapaja’s combination of administrative depth and diplomatic experience makes him a formidable contender. While the race is expected to be crowded, the Arapaja campaign is moving quickly to establish itself not just as a bid for office, but as a sustainable movement focused on repositioning Oyo State as a national model for progress. For now, all eyes remain on the PDP powerbroker as he transitions from party administrator to a leading aspirant for the state’s top job.

Mosan Okunola LCDA: Akindele Empowers Officials, Police with Utility Vehicles

 

In a decisive move to strengthen administrative efficiency and bolster local security, the Executive Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Akindele Adunni Opeyemi, has presented a new fleet of official vehicles to councillors, management staff, and security agencies. The presentation, which took place at the council secretariat shortly after a stakeholders’ meeting on the revived monthly environmental sanitation exercise, signals a renewed commitment to service delivery within the Alimosho axis.

The distribution of the vehicles reached various critical arms of the local government, with beneficiaries including the five councillors led by the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Tosin Babatunde Afuwape (SNR), as well as the Chief of Staff, Hon. Tolulope Falope. Other key recipients included the Council Manager, Mr. Joseph Abiodun; the Council Treasurer, Mr. Azeez Abiodun; the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE); and the Police Tactical Team of Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu.

Dignitaries and political leaders from across the LCDA were on hand to present the keys to the recipients. Among the notable figures present were the pioneer chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Abel Badejo; Engr. Bosun Oduntan; and Hon. Bola Afolabi, the Special Adviser to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Also represented were the Community Development Committee (CDC) through Alhaji Tajudeen Fajobi, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), represented by Secretary Ajeboriogbon Irekunle Samuel.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Akindele explained that the initiative was designed to equip officials with the necessary tools to perform their duties with greater speed and professionalism. She emphasized that improved mobility is central to enhancing timely responses to the needs of residents and urged the beneficiaries to use the vehicles responsibly to ensure the smooth running of council affairs.

The gesture was met with high praise from the legislative and management teams. Hon. Afuwape, speaking on behalf of the councillors, pledged their continued collaboration with the Chairman to move the LCDA forward. On the security front, ACP Tokunbo Abaniwonda, the Area Commander of Area ‘M’ Idimu, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, noting that the support would be used judiciously to enhance tactical operations. She concluded the event by calling for increased public cooperation, urging residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies in the ongoing fight against crime.